Entrepreneur, developer, restaurateur, and visionary Tony Goldman died in New York City last night, surrounded by family. He was 68.
As head of Goldman Properties, Tony Goldman led to the resurrection of many of the nation’s now most thriving neighborhoods, among them New York’s SoHo and Financial District, as well as Philadelphia’s Center City, where his 10-year plan could be considered a blueprint for stylized revitalization.
In Miami, of course, Goldman was pivotal to the recreation of both South Beach and Wynwood. On South Beach, Goldman’s efforts can be traced back to 1985, when a quick trip to assess the then-faded area was just enough to convince him of its potential.
Goldman’s subsequent acquisition campaign, in which he bought one property a month for 18 months, is now legend, as are some of the properties he acquired, including The Park Central (where his restaurant Lucky’s was the first four-star hub of the new South Beach) and The Hotel (where he and his daughter Jessica Goldman Srebnick teamed with celebrated designer Todd Oldham to remake the landmark Tiffany).
In Wynwood, the Goldman Properties portfolio includes Joey’s (opened with his son Joey Goldman, who also serves as a principal in the company) and Wynwood Kitchen and Bar (where daughter Jessica retains a hands-on role).
But it is the adjoining Wynwood Walls which has become the de facto face of the neighborhood. Opened during Art Basel 2009, incorporating a complex of six separate buildings, and featuring large scale murals from some of the world’s most renowned street artists, the Walls is at once an art park centerpiece for Wynwood and a testament to Tony Goldman’s grand vision.
